Negotiations continue for sale of undisclosed city property
Plus, overnight paving on Richmond Road; William & Mary AI expert works with James City to support small business; sports center time lapse video
The Williamsburg City Council entered a closed session at its work meeting on Monday and the possibility of the sale of city-owned “economic development property” was once again on the agenda. The council has discussed negotiations involving selling city-owned land several times in closed sessions over the past month, as allowed by state law in these circumstances. No further information about which properties were discussed has been provided.
A review of city land records identified over a dozen city-owned vacant commercial and residential zoned properties, totaling more than 50 acres and assessed values over $7 million.
Vacant (Commercial)
924 Capitol Landing Rd, 6.4 acres, Assessed Value: $955,600*
942 Capitol Landing Rd, 1.3 acres, Assessed Value: $526,500*
These two adjacent properties at the intersection of Capitol Landing Road and Merrimac Trail are for sale in combined listing which describes the property as “a great development opportunity for any sort of Hospitality development with city incentives to help support the growth.” The site currently serves as a park and ride spot but the listing states that economic development incentives are available as the parcel is located in an “opportunity zone”. (*Assessment according to sale listing, not city record as a slight discrepancy existed).
912 Capitol Landing Rd, 2.6 acres, Assessed Value: $452,000
A city-owned parcel at 912 Capitol Landing Road is also listed for sale, noting that the property is in the city’s “Culinary Arts and Hospitality District”. The site used to be occupied by an old motel which has since been torn down and a previous conceptual rendering included in the listing envisioned a brewery and taphouse on the land.
1233 Richmond Rd, 0.9 acres, Assessed Value: $1,050,900
These city-owned parcels near Midtown were once the site of a Super 8 Motel. The city purchased the land in 2016 and demolished the building. The site has remained undeveloped since then.
906 Richmond Rd, 0.7 acres, Assessed Value: $1,068,200
This city-owned parcel was once the site of the Tioga Motel. The city purchased the land in 2007 and demolished the building. The lot has been vacant since.
Other city-owned vacant commercial properties include:
951 S Henry St, Henry Street South (Commercial), 36.8 acres, $1,859,500
298 Parkway Dr, Second Street/Parkway/Page (Commercial), 2.6 acres, $612,900
150 Ironbound Rd, High Street (Commercial), 1.0 acres, $966,400
251 Parkway Dr, Second Street/Parkway/Page (Commercial), 0.5 acres, $178,500
130 Ironbound Rd, High Street (Commercial), 0.2 acres, $180,100
2197 S Henry St, Henry Street South (Commercial), 0.2 acres, $97,300
In other news:
Overnight paving work on Richmond Road in Williamsburg begins this week. City of Williamsburg reports that milling and paving work on Richmond Road started Monday night, July 6, 2026. The work will occur nightly from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. between The Jefferson Restaurant and Governor Berkeley Road. The project is expected to last about one week but is weather-dependent, according to the city. Rain in the forecast this week may extend completion into next week. Richmond Road is the final corridor on the paving schedule announced this spring, with work on Jamestown Road, York Street, and Capitol Landing Road already completed.
James City County hosts AI Workshop for small businesses on July 21. James City County Office of Economic Development announces the next session in The Catalyst Series, featuring a workshop on artificial intelligence for small businesses. The session takes place Tuesday, July 21, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at the Law Enforcement Center, located at 4600 Opportunity Way in Williamsburg. Dr. Trenton Ford, Assistant Professor of Data Science at William & Mary, serves as guest speaker for the event. According to the county, key topics include demystifying AI, practical automation, navigating the digital landscape, and immediate application. Residents can register online through the county’s website.
James City County renames General Services Department to Public Works. James City County announced that its General Services Department has been renamed to the Public Works Department. The county states the new name more accurately reflects the department’s operations and responsibilities while providing greater clarity and recognition for residents, staff, and community partners. Public Works includes seven divisions: Capital Projects, Custodial Services, Facilities Maintenance, Fleet & Equipment, Grounds Maintenance, Solid Waste & Recycling, and Stormwater & Resource Protection. The county reports that costs are projected to be less than $2,000 for campus signage updates and miscellaneous items such as business cards, with branded items updated when they need replenishment.
Watch the Greater Williamsburg Sports and Events Center rise from the ground up. The City of Williamsburg recently posted a fascinating and entertaining time-lapse video of the construction of the new Greater Williamsburg Sports and Events Center.
